The Beginning of the NBAThe league was founded in New York City on June 6, 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA).The league adopted the name National Basketball Association in 1949 after merging with the rival National Basketball League (NBL).
On November 1, 1946, in Toronto, Canada, the Toronto Huskies hosted the New York Knickerbockers at Maple Leaf Gardens, in a game the NBA now regards as the first played in its history. In August 1949, the BAA agreed to merge with the NBL to create the National Basketball Association. (NBA) The league started off with seventeen franchises with a mix of large and small cities in America. |
George MikanIn the early 50s, African-Americans were now allowed to play in the NBA. This made the league bigger. During this period though, it was George Mikan and the Minneapolis Lakers who dominated the years.
WHO's GEORGE MIKAN? Known as Mr.Basketball, playing with thick, round spectacles, the 6 ft 10 in 245 lb power forward, Mikan, is seen as one of the pioneers of professional basketball. He redefinined it as a game of so-called big men with his prolific rebounding, shot blocking and his talent to shoot over smaller defenders with his ambidextrous hook shot. He won 5 NBA Championships with his team during this time, and was known as the league's first dynasty.He also won seven NBL, BAA and NBA championships, an All-Star MVP trophy, three scoring titles and being member of the first four NBA All-Star and the first six All-BAA and All-NBA Teams. |